By: Erica Ferraro In the past, infertility was shrouded in secrecy, whispered behind closed doors, and burdened by societal taboos. Our parents bore the weight of this struggle in hushed tones, with limited resources and a sense of isolation. However, times have changed. The internet has brought about a more open-minded generation, and but alsoContinue reading “The Power of Pineapples: A Symbolic Beacon of Hope and Community”
Author Archives: Erica Ferraro
The Silent Struggle: Male Factor Infertility- A Common Secret, Shared Only Through Whispers
By: Erica Ferraro Male Male factor infertility is surprisingly common but still one of the most misunderstood aspects of reproductive health. When couples struggle to conceive, society tends to unfairly point fingers at women. Yet, one third of the time it is a male issue, and in many cases it is a combination of bothContinue reading “The Silent Struggle: Male Factor Infertility- A Common Secret, Shared Only Through Whispers”
Baby Books to Explain Alternate Routes to Parenthood
By: Erica Ferraro However your family comes together, it is beautiful, special and perfect! It’s not always easy to accept a path that feels “different” and it sometimes takes a-lot of love, patience and processing to arrive at acceptance. Some of my favorite children’s books that help to explain alternate routes to parenthood, equally bringContinue reading “Baby Books to Explain Alternate Routes to Parenthood”
Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) Less Common Than You Expect, More Concerning Than you May Think
By: Erica Ferraro Embarking on our TTC journey, we become acutely aware that the heartbreaking loss of unborn babies can mar the path of parenthood. What remains concealed from us is the prevalence of miscarriages and the distinction between a “normal” miscarriage occurrence and a more severe condition known as RPL. It is important toContinue reading “Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) Less Common Than You Expect, More Concerning Than you May Think”
Infertility is a Medical Diagnosis, Not a Mind Set: Say it Louder for the People in the Back
By: Erica Ferraro Let me give you a glimpse into an encounter I had with someone when going through IVF treatments. This person, although they did not mean malice, clearly missed the empathy and commonsense memo. Which, unfortunately, is quite commonplace when discussing fertility struggles amongst those who have not walked our path. In theContinue reading “Infertility is a Medical Diagnosis, Not a Mind Set: Say it Louder for the People in the Back”
Assisted Reproductive Technologies 101
By: Erica Ferraro with Contributions from Alease Daniel Barnes, BS, Senior Embryologist Once you find your clinic and feel confident in your decision to proceed with treatment, you will likely learn about treatment options based on your diagnosis. I cannot reiterate enough that every patient is highly different and should have a unique treatment protocol. So,Continue reading “Assisted Reproductive Technologies 101”
Chromosomal Translocation: The Secret Genetic Culprit Behind Infertility and IVF challenges
By: Erica Ferraro The many sneaky conditions that can lurk beneath the surface are mind-boggling, utterly unknown until you start TTC. While in the infertility community, I have come across men and women with chromosomal translocation issues who had no idea until their doctor ordered a Karyotype genetic test for them, and they discovered that thisContinue reading “Chromosomal Translocation: The Secret Genetic Culprit Behind Infertility and IVF challenges”
Flattering Dresses for the Overwhelming Summer: Beat the Heat, Hormones, and IVF Challenges with Flair
By: Erica Ferraro Let’s face it, going through infertility treatments during summer is a whole new level of stress. It’s a sizzling season, with raging hormones, weight fluctuations, exercise restrictions, and non-stop sweating (shoutout to my Lupron sisters!). All these factors can make us feel a tad insecure in our stylish summer outfits. Trust me,Continue reading “Flattering Dresses for the Overwhelming Summer: Beat the Heat, Hormones, and IVF Challenges with Flair”
Rainbow Baby Tokens: Faith-Filled Purchases for the Expectant Mother
By: Erica Ferraro However your journey to motherhood unfolds, it is undeniably a remarkable, exquisite, and unique experience. Some may traverse a longer path than others, encountering stormy weather along the way. Whether you’ve experienced the loss of a precious baby, endured multiple rounds of IVF without success, or turned to various assisted reproductive technologies,Continue reading “Rainbow Baby Tokens: Faith-Filled Purchases for the Expectant Mother”
Baking Life’s Sweetest Miracle: A Cake Analogy for Understanding Infertility
By: Erica Ferraro When I received my initial diagnosis of DOR and realized that I would need to undergo multiple rounds of IVF to have a chance at starting a family, I encountered considerable difficulty in explaining the situation to my friends and family. Not only was I struggling to comprehend my diagnosis, but alsoContinue reading “Baking Life’s Sweetest Miracle: A Cake Analogy for Understanding Infertility”
Moving Mountains For Motherhood 